Machine for packing string beans



A. R. THOMPSON MACHINE FOR PACKING STRING BEANS April 12, 1949.

13 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 14, 1942 ALfiEBT I2. 'THOMPSON April 1949- A. R. THOMPSON 2,467,278

MACHINE FOR PACKING-STRING BEANS Filed July 14, 1942 15 Sheets-Sheet F'IIE'I E ALBERT 2. THOMPSON 15 Sheets-Shed April 12 1949. A. R. THOMPSON MACHINE FOR PACKING STRING BEANS Filed July 14, 1942 J ALBERT l2. THOMPJON A ril 12, 1949.

A. R THOMPSON MACHINE FOR PACKING STRING BEANS l3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July '14, 1942 B E I F INVENTOR ALBERT ,Q THOMPSON April 12, 1949. R. MP ON MACHINE FOR PACKING STRING BEANS Filed July 14, 1942 F IE 13 Sheets-Sheet 6 III a Hz Javucufoc ALBERT 2. THOMPSON Sttozuu;

April 12, 1949. A. R. THOMPSON MACHINE FOR PACKING STRING BEANS Filed July 14, N 1942 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 ALBERT 2. THOMPSON FIEi 14I= Gamma;

April 1949 A. R. THOMPSON 2,467,278

MACHINE FOR PACKING STRING BEANS Filed July 14, 1942 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 m FIE] 1E! ALflERT /Z. THOMPSON GM /a n w P 1 A. R. THOMPSON I 2,467,278

MACHINE FOR PACKING STRING BEANS Filed July 14,.1942 1s She ets-Sheet 11 F'lEi 1-7 April 12, 1949.

A. R. THOMPSON MACHINE FOR PACKINQ STRING BEANS 13 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed July 14, 1942 II /1 III F'IEiEEI ALBERT R. THOMPSON April 1949- A. R. THOMPSON 2,467,278

MACHINE FOR PACKING STRING BEANS Filed July 14, 1942 13 Sheets-Sheet l3 FIE EEI FIG; 8 El ALBERT 12. THOMQSON Patented Apr. 12, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,467,278 MACHINE FOR PACKING STRING BEANS Albert R. Thompson, Los Gatos, Calm, as l or to Food Machinery and Chemical Corporation, San Jose, Calif.; a corporation of Delaware Application July 14, 1942, Serial No. 450,938

The present invention appertains to a machine for packing string beans into containers such as sanitary cans or the like.

An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic machine ior'packing string beans into containers in an eflicient, speedy and sanitary manner.

Another object is to provide a machine for preparing string beans either for asparagus style pack or for vertical style pack, and for packing the prepared string beans into containers.

31 Claims. (01.226-19) Another object is to provide a machine for arranging string beans in a predetermined position with respect to each other andior depositing the same in such position into containers.

Another object is to provide a machine for arranging string beans in predetermined position withrespect to each other for cutting the individual string beans to substantially equal length and for packing the string beans into containers.

Another object is to provide a feed mechanism for arranging the individual pods of a promiscuous mass of string beans in substantially parallel relation and for maintaining the pods in such relation for subsequent packing thereof into containers such as sanitary cans or the like.

Another object is to provide a feed mechanism for string bean packing machines for receiving a promiscuousmass of string beans for arranging the individual pods of said mass in substantial parallel relation and for dividing the string beans into separate'charges of substantially equal size and weight. v

Another object is to provide a feed mechanism for string bean packing machines for arranging the individual pods of a promiscuous mass of string beans insubstantially parallel relation and for crowding the same in such relation into a continuous stream of string beans.

Another object is to provide a bean dividing mechanism for dividing and unlacing acontinuous stream of string beans into separate charges.

Another object is to provide a mechanism for dividing and unlacing a continuous st'reamoi gently packed and substantially parallel string beans into separate charges of predetermined size.

with for cutting each charge of string beans to substantially equal length.

Another object is to provide abean turret, a feed mechanism for feeding the string beans thereto, and means for transferring string beans in separate charges from the feed mechanism to the bean turret.

Another object is to provide a bean turret, a feed mechanism for feeding string beans thereto k arranged in substantially parallel relation with Another object is to provide a string bean packing machine for arranging the string beans in'separate packagesof predetermined diameter and length and for placing the packages of string beans into cans.

Another object is to provide a machine for arrangingstring beans in separate charges and for compressing the same into cylindrical configuration of a diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the cans and for packing Another object is to provide a bean turret for receiving a predetermined charg of string beans and for advancing the same into a predetermined position for packing into containers.

Another object is to provide .a bean turret for receiving a predetermined charge of string beans and comprising means cooperating there saidcharges into cans.

Another objectis to provide a machine for packing string beans into cans wherein adjustable means are provided for controlling the quantity of string beans to be packed into each can.

Another object is to provide a machine for packing string beans into cans comprising adjustable means for controlling the tightness of pack of the string beans.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present'invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a rear elevation oi'the string bean packing machine of'the present invention.

' Fig. 2 illustrates a side elevation of the string bean packing machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through a portion of the feed mechanism of the machine, taken along linesi-i of Fig. 1.

associated parts employed in connection with the feed turret of the machine, certain portions being broken away.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken along lines l-l of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a section taken along lines 8-8 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a vertical section of a portion of Fig. 4, taken along lines 9-9 thereof.

Fig. 10 is a horizontal section of a portion of Fig. 4 taken along lines Ill-Ill thereof. Fig. 11 is horizontal section of a portion of Fig. 4 taken along lines ll-li thereof.

Fig. 12 is a perspective illustration of a portion of the feed hopper structure of the machine.

Fig. 13 illustrates a plan view of the packing or filling mechanism of the string bean packing maof the bean turret and one of the cutting knives cooperating with the same.

Fig. 30 is an enlarged section through the can rounding arm of the machine.

Fig. 31 is an enlarged section through the bean rounding arm of the machine.

Fig. 32 illustrates the wiring diagram of the machine.

General construction and operation of the machine The string bean packing machine of the present invention, see Figs. 1, 2, 13 and 17, comprises a feed mechanism A, a packing mechanism B and a drive and control mechanism C for operating the packing mechanism and for controlling the function of the same.

The feed mechanism A consists 01 a feed hopper D, a feed turret E, and a feed chute F,

while the packing mechanism B of the machine comprises a bean turret G, a can turret H and a plunger mechanism I. Interposed between the feed mechanism A and packing mechanism B chine, the view being taken along lines iii-i3 of v Fig. 14 is a vertical section through the beam packing mechanism, the section being taken along lines i i-i5 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 illustrates a section of Fig. 14 taken along lines iE-i 5 thereof.

Fig. 16 is a vertical section taken along lines 56-56 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 shows a side elevation of the packing mechanism of the machine and the parts associated therewith, the view being taken along lines il-l'l of Fig. 14.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the pressure and switch control mechanism of the packing mechanism of the machine.

Fig. 19 illustrates a-portion of Fig. 17 showing the bean dividing and unlacing mechanism in operative position.

Fig. 20 is an enlarged vertical section of Fig. 19 taken along line 20-20 thereof illustrating the operation of the pressure and switch control mechanism and the bean dividing and unlacing mechanism.

Fig. 21 shows a section through the bean dividing and unlacing mechanism taken along lines 2l-2l of Fig. 20.

Fig. 22 illustrates a horizontal section through the bean dividing and unlacing mechanism taken along lines 22-22 of Fig. 21.

Fig. 23 shows a horizontal section of Fig. 21 taken along lines 23-23 thereof.

,Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the cam roller and associated parts for controlling the opening v and closing operation of the bean dividing and unlacing fingers.

Fig. 25 is a section through the drive mechanism of the bean and can turrets of the machine and certain control mechanisms associated therewith, the section being taken along lines 25-25 of Fig. 15, certain parts being broken away.

Fig. 26 is a reduced section through the Geneva driv'er taken along lines 26-26 of Fig. 25.

Fig. 27 shows an enlarged side elevation of the one-revolution clutch employed in connection with the drive mechanism illustrated in Fig. 25.

Fig. 28 is a section through the clutch mechanism shown in Fig. 2'7, taken along lines 28-28 thereof.

Fig. 29 is a reduced view illustrating a portion and cooperating therewith is a bean dividing and unlacing mechanism K.

In the operation oi the machine, the string beans are deposited in a promiscuous mass into the feed hopper D which functions to isolate small groups of string beans from said mass. to arrange the individual string beans of a group in substantial parallel relationship with respect to each other and to deposit them into the feed turret E. The feed turret E supplies the beans in substantially parallel relation to the feed chute F which is adapted to feed the string beans in a continuous stream to the bean turret G. The transfer of the beans from the feed chute F to the bean turret G is controlled by the bean dividing and unlacing mechanism K in such a manner that the string beans are supplied in separate charges of substantially predetermined size to the bean turret G. This turret G cooperates with means for preparing the string beans for asparagus style or vertical pack and advances the prepared charges oi string beans intopredetermined position with respect to the plunger mechanism 1, which is thereupon operated to pack each charge of string beans into containers, such as sanitary cans or the like, which are carried by the can turret H in alignment with the charge of beans and advanced simultaneously therewith into alignment with the plunger mechanism I.

After the string beans have been packed into the cans, the cans are discharged from the machine and are subsequently closed and treated in any desired manner.

General frame structure of the machine 6 within which certain parts of the drive and control mechanism of the machine are mounted. The specific structure of the housing 4, housing structure 5, as well as the casing I will be referred to later on in connection with the description The feed mechanism a of the machine is carried by the housing 4 previously referred to and consists primarily of the hopper D, the feed turret E, and the feed chute F operatively associated with the turret E. The housing 4, see Figs. 3 and 4, comprises rear and frontwalls H and 12. side walls l3 and I4, and a bottom wall 15, forming a compartment l1. The end wall I3 is provided with an opening I! through which a memher I! extends into the compartment- II.

The member l9 consists of a plate 2| which is secured to the outer. wall l3 by means of cap screws 22 and the inner portion of the member I9 is formed'lnto a semi-circular turret housing 23 within which the feed turret .E is rotatably mounted by means of a shaft 24 rotatably arranged within bearings 26 and 21, see Fig. 3.

The turret E consists of a plurality of circular discs 28 and 29 spaced from each other equidistant by means of their hub portions 3| and 32, respectively. The hub portions of the discs 29 and 29 of the feed turret E are provided with interlocking claws 33 while one of the discs 29. designated 29a, is secured tothe shaft 24 by means of a key 34 for rotation therewith. It will therefore beseen that upon rotation of the shaft 24 the disc 29a will be rotated therewith, causing a corresponding rotation of the remainingdiscs 29 as well as disc 23 due to the interlocking connection between the various discs above referred to. Each of the discs "and 29 of the feed turret A is provided with a plurality offingers or vanes 4| extending in angular direction from the body portion of the discs so as to form bean receiving pockets 42 therebetween. The adjacent vanes of adjacent discs are positioned in alignmerit with respect to each other so that all pockets 42 are aligned with respect to each other, see Figs. 3, 4,9 and 10.

The upper end of the compartment I1 is closed by an annular housing portion 43; forming-an integral part of the housing 4 and provided with an elongated opening 44 extending parallel to the axis of the feed turret E. The length of the opening 44 exceeds the maximum length of the string beans to be handled by the machine. The

feed turret E is so arranged with respe tjto the semi-circular turret housing 23 that the other ends of the vanes 4| 'are in proximity thereof and hopper housing 44 and form rectangular bean receiving pockets therewith.

' The lower portions of the bean receiving pockets 49 are formed by the side walls 54 and 53 of opposing insert members 41 and diverge from each other toward the hopper housing 43 at 51 and 54, respectively. The greatest diversion of these side walls 51 and 59 from each other is adjacent the juncture with the side walls 52 and 53 which is established by means of triangular plates 54a and 55a welded between the side .walls 52 and 54 as well as side walls 53 and 53, respectively. While the hopper housing 49 forms a bottom for the 'upper portions of the bean receiving pockets 4' intermediate the side walls 52 and 59 of the insert members 41, it should be noted that the hopper housing 44 is cut away at the bottom of the lower portion of the bean receiving pockets 43 intermediate the side walls 54 and 54, see Fig. 12. that the lower portion of the hopper housing 46 extends into the annular housing portion 43, see Fig. 3, and is in close proximity thereof the annular housing portion 43 closes the bottom of the lower portion of the bean receiving pockets 49 for purposes as wfll be described later on.

The lower ends of the insert members 41 are supported and closed by .a conical supporting member 5| keyed to a shaft" rotatably mounted within 'a hub portion 63 forming an integral part of a bottom wall 64 of the annular housing 43.

The upper end 55 of the shaft 62 is of reduced diameter, see Fig. 3,.and slidably arranged upon the same is a conical clamping member 51 provided with an upper beansupporting surface 63 and a conical clamping surface 69 adapted to engage the upper surface SI of the insert members 41. Clamp screws 'll freely rotatablewithin the conicai'clamping member 51 and threadably received within the hub portion of the conical supporting member 6! are provided for forcing the conical..clamping member 61 into clamping enthe pockets 42 are closed during their travel from the opening 44 to the feed chute F.

Mounted within and above the annular housing portion 43 previously referred to ls the feed hopper D already previously mentioned herein.

gagement with the insert members 41 so as to force the lower ends 12 of the same into frictional engagement with the conical supporting member .il, whereby the hopper casing 49, the insert members 41, the conical supporting members Bi .and theconical clamping member are rigidly clamped together for rotation with the shaft 62 previously referred to.

The lower end of the annular housing portion 43 and the side of the housing 4 adjacent side wall II are provided with an extension wall 13 forming a gear housing 14 which is closed by a cover plate 15, see Fig. 3, provided with bearings 11 and 19.

r The bearing 11 receives the lower end of the shaft This feed hopper is of a somewhat conical 'configuration and consists of an annular hopper wall or housing to which insert members 41 are welded in spaced relation so as to form a plurality of radially disposed inclined bean receivins slots or pockets 48 therebetween. Each of the insert members 41, see Figs. 3, 4 and 12, consists of an upper bean supporting surface 5| and upper side walls 52 and 53, as well as lower side walls 54 and 56. The insert members "are arranged 42, and keyed to said shaft intermediate the bearing portions 53 and I1 is a bevel gear 19.

The rear end of the shaft 24 extends through bearing 19 and is rotatably supported therein.

. Keyed tov the rear end of shaft 24 is a sprocket in such a manner wit hvrespect to each other within the annular hopper housing '45 that the side walls 52 and 54 a-re adjacent the side walls 53 and and form in conjunction with the hopper housing 45 the bean receiving pockets 49 previously referred to. The..upper portionsjof these wheel 35, while interposed between the bearings 21 and 13 of the side wall of the housing 4 and cover plate 16,is a bevel gear 81. This bevel gear is keyed to theshaft 24 for rotation therewith and intermeshes with thebevel gear 19 previously re- 'ferred to. A The bevel gear 8] is preferably made of two 'parts 9!. and 92 secured together by means of cap screws 93 which extend through arcuate slots :94 within the member '92, see Fig. 6, so that an adjustment is provided between the gears "and bean receiving"'pockets u are'formedby op osts a as well as shafts 24 and'52'to permit an accu- However, due to the fact v rate alignment between the hopper D andthe feed turret E which is necessary for a proper timed cooperation between the pockets 43 of the hopper D and the pockets 42 of the feed turret E.

Attached to'one end of the upwardly extendingframe portions 2 and 3 previously referred to herein is .an electric motor I3I provided with a gear reduction box I32 and a slow speed drive shaft.III3 to which a sprocket wheel I34 is keyed. Trained around the sprocket I64 and the sprocket wheel 33 keyed to shaft 24 previously referred to is a sprocket chain I33 so that upon operation of the motor IIII the shaft 24 and bean turret E are rotated in a direction as indicated by an arrow I01 in Fig. 4. Due to the intermeshing relation between bevel gears 31 and I3 the shaft 32 and the hopper structure D, i. e., the parts 43, 41, 31 and 3| thereof, are rotated in a corresponding direction, as indicated by arrows I33 in Figs. 3 and 4.

Mounted within the compartment I1 of the housing 4 of the feed mechanism of the machine are plates III and H2 extending longitudinally and transversely of the housing 4 and forming the feed chute F in conjunction therewith. The

front end of the plate III is slotted, as shown at I I3 in Fig. 10, so that a plurality of fingers or extensions I'I4 are formed thereby extending between the discs 23and 23 of the feed turret E. the outermost extensions II3 of the plate III being considerably shorter than the extensions II4, see Figs. 4 and 10. The front ends of the extensions II4, as well as. the extensions II3, are bent in upward directions, see Fig. 4.

The front end of the plate II2, see Fig. 11, is provided with slots II1 whereby extensions III and I I3 are formed. The extensions II3 protrude into the spaces between the discs 23 and 23 of the feed turret E while the extensions II3 protrude into the spaces between the housing 4 and the outer discs 23 and 23 of the turret E. The front end of the extensions 3 and H3 are bent in downward directions as best seen at I2 I in Fig. 4. The front end of the extensions Ill and H3 of the plate "2 are received within corresponding slots I 22 of the semi-circular housing 23 of the feed turret E. The slots H3 and H1 of the plates I II and H2 respectively are of such width and length as to permit a free rotation of the feed turret Ewithout interfering with the vanes H of the same and permitting oscillating movement of these plates in a manner as will be described later on. Secured to the lower surface of the lower plate III is a supporting casting I3I, provided with tubular transversely extending portions I32 and I33, within each of which a pair of ball bearings I34 and I36 are mounted. These ball bearings I34 and I36 are arranged adjacent the ends of the tubular supporting members I32 and I33, but only the ball bearing I34 of the tubular portion I33 is shown in Fig. 5 and it should be noted that the ball bearing I36 of the tubular portion I33 is of the same construction as ball bearing I36 of the tubular portion I32. Rotatably mounted within the ball bearings I34 and I36 are shafts I 31 and I33, provided with eccentric portions I33 and I40 at their points of support within the bearings I34 and I36 respectively.

The shafts I31 and I33 are proivded with portions I H and I42 of reduced diameter rotatably received within ball bearings I43 mounted within the side wall I2 and ball bearings I44 mounted within the side wall II, respectively, of the housing 4. Only the reduced portion I42 and its associated bearing I44 of shaft I31 have been illustrated in Fig. 5 and it should be noted that the reduced portion I42 of shaft I33 and the bearing I44 cooperating therewith are of the same structure as illustrated in connection with the shaft I31. The reduced portions I of shafts I 31' and I33 extend through the bearings I43, see Fig. 5. Keyed to portion I of shaft I31 is a gear I43 and secured to the same by means of cap screws I43 is a gear I41, while a gear I43 is keyed tothe reduced end I of the shaft I33 and carries a gear I43 secured thereto by means of cap screws III. Threadedly secured to the free end of shaft portions I of shafts I31 and I33 are nuts I52 and I33 respectively for maintaining the gears I43 and I43 in proper position on the shafts I31 and I33.

The gears I41 and I43 are of smaller diameter than the gears I43 and I43 and are adapted to mesh with a gear I34, keyed to a drive shaft I53 rotatably mounted within bearings I3I and I32 in the side walls I I and I2, respectively, of the housing 4 of the machine, see Figs. 5 and 9. A cover I 34 cooperating with a machined extension I33 of wall I2 of the housing 4 is provided to form a gear casing I33 within which the gears I43, I41, I43, I43 and I34 are enclosed. The shaft I33 extends through the side wall I2, bearing I32 and the cover I44 and is provided with a drive pulley I33 keyed thereto for rotation therewith.

The electric motor "I previously referred to herein is also provided with a high speed shaft "I to which a pulley I12 is keyed for rotation therewith, see Fig. 2. Trained around the pulleys I33 and I12 isa drive belt I13.

Secured to the upper surface of the plate II I, see Figs. 4 and 7, is a supporting casting III provided with tubular portions I32 and I33 extending transversely of the compartment I1 between the side walls II and I2 of the housing 4 of the machine. Rotatably mounted within the tubular portions I32 and I33 by means of ball bearings I34 and I33 are shafts I36 and I31. Each of these shafts I36 and I 31 consists of a center portion I33 and eccentric portions I 33 and I33 adJacent the same and positioned within the bearings I34 and I33 respectively, which in turn are mounted within the tubular portions I32 and I33. Each of the shafts I33 and I31 is further provided with concentric portions I9I and I92 of reduced diameter rotatably mounted within ball bearings I33 and I34, positioned within the side walls II and I2, respectively. The portion I32 of each shaft I33 and I31 extends through the bearing I34 into the gear casing I66. Keyed to the portion I32 of shaft I33 is a gear I95 while a gear I33 is keyed to the portion I92 of shaft I31. The gear I33 intermeshes with the gear I43 while the gear I36 intermeshes with the gear I43 previously referred to, see Fig. 8.

From the above, it will therefore be seen that upon operation of the motor IIII and rotation of the shaft I33, the gear I34 will be rotated in a direction as shown at 2III in Figs. 4 and 8, causing rotation of the gears I41 and I49 as well as gears I43. I33, I43 and I36, and shafts I31, I33, I33, I31 in directions as indicated by arrows 202, 233, 234 and 233. respectively, in Figs. 4 and 8.

Due to the eccentricity of the shaft portions I33, I43, I33 and I33 within the bearings of the tubular supporting members I32, I33, I32 and I33. the plates III and H2 are oscillated toward and away from each other upon rotation of shafts I31. I33. I33 and I31. During the movement of said plates toward each other they are also slightly advanced in the direction of the discharge end 231 of the feed chute I" while during movement aware of theplates iii and H2 away from each other,

the same are retracted i. e., shifted toward the feed turret E.

Operation of feed mechanism operation of the electric motor ||l|, shafts 24 and 82 will be rotated causing a continuous rotation of the hopper D and feed turret E, in the directions indicated by arrows Hi1 and H18 in Figs. 3 and 4. Likewise, the operation of the motor causes rotation of the shaft I89 whereby a continuous oscillation of the feed chute plates Ill and H2 is effectedin a manner as previously described herein.

The string beans to be handled by the machine of the present invention are deposited in a promiscuous mass into the continuously rotating hopper D and due to the inclined positionof the hopper D the mass of beans remains within the lower portion of the same.

While the hopper D is rotating at a predetermined speed, the mass of string beans is somewhat agitated and individual pods disposed parallel to the bean receiving pockets 48 of the hopper D fall into these pockets and are elevated thereby to a position as shown in dotted lines at 2|! in Fig. 3, at which time the bean receiving pockets 48 are in a vertical position so that the pods slide from the upper portion of the bean receiving pockets 48 into the lower portion thereof and occupy a position as shown in full lines at 2|2 in Fig. 3, in which the lower ends of the beans rest upon the conical member 8|. Due to the diversion of the side wall portions 84 and 58 and their increasing height toward the lower ends 12 of the same, the width and depth of the lower portion 2|3 ofthe bean receiving pockets 48 are considerably larger than that of the upper portions of said pockets. A free-discharge of the string beans from the upper pocket portions into the lower pocket portions 2|3 is therefore assured, when the bean receiving pockets 48 assume a vertical position, as shown at H4 in Fig.

3. Furthermore, due to the increasing width and depth of the lower portion 2|3 of the bean receiving pockets 48, any possibility of wedging of the string beans within the pockets 48 which would impair the transfer of the string beans from the upper portion 2H to the lower portion 2 ill of the pockets 48 is eliminated.

' After the string beans have been received within the lower portion 2|: of the been receiving pockets 48 as shown at 2|2 in Fig. 3,'the same are advanced toward the discharge opening 44 of the housing portion 43 during further rotation of the hopper D. As soon as the lower portion 2 l3 of the bean receiving pockets 48 is in registration with the opening 44, the string beans are discharged from thepockets 48 and fall into the pockets 42, see Figs. 3 and 4, of the feed turret E, which at this moment is in'alignrhent with the discharge opening 44 to receive a charge of beans therefrom. During the discharge of the-beans from the pockets 48 into the pockets 42 of the feed turret E, the individual string .beans or pods remain in substantially the same parallel relation in which they were arrangedby action of the hopper D. I

; The bean receiving pockets 48 of the hopper D are preferably of such size that only a few string beans are received therein and the pockets 42 of the feed turret E are of sufficient size to handle the quantity of beans received from the hopp r D..

After the beans have been deposited into the pockets 42 of the feed turret E in the manner above described, they are advanced toward the inlet end 2|8 of the feed chute F. see Fig. 4, and V are deposited therein while the vanes 4| of the feed turret E recede through the slots H3 in'the upper plate I I.

-Due to the inclination of the vanes 4| of the feed turret E at a predetermined angle in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the feed turret E, the beans are discharged from the I pockets 42 of the, feed turret E and are gently shifted into the mouth 2|8of the feed chute F while any pinching or cutting of the beans between thevanes 4| and plates III is prevented.

From the above, it willtherefore be seen that due to the action of the hopper D, the string beans are arranged substantially parallel with respect to each other in the pockets 48 with one of their ends engaging the conical member 8 I, and are thereupon discharged from the pockets 48 through the opening 44 into the pocket 48 of the feed turret E, which advances the beans to the feed chute F and deposits the same therein.

The alignment of one of the ends of the string beans within the pocket 48 by the conical member 8| is important because otherwise a free discharge of the string beans through the opening 44 into the pockets of the feed turret E would be impossible. It the beans are not properly aligned in the manner above described, the other ends thereof opposite the conical member 8| might protrude beyond the edge 2|8 of the opening 44 and this would not only prevent a proper, discharge of the string beans into the pockets 42 of the feed turret E but would cause a crushing or cracking of the string beans between the hopper D, housing portion 43 and feed turret E.

In this manner the string beans are continuously supplied and crowded into the feed chute F in succeeding charges so that the feed chute F will be filled with string beans which are advanced from the feed end toward the discharge end of that chute due to the oscillating action of the plates HI and 2. It has been already mentioned in the above that the oscillating movement of the plates HI and H2 is such that they move toward each other during their forward movement, 1. e., during their movement toward the discharge end 281 of the feed chute F, so that not only a forward movement of the mass of string beans deposited therein is effected but also a slight compacting of the mass of beans is caused therein. The amount of compression of the string-beans within the feed chute F depends upon the amount of beans supplied to the feed chute F by the feed turret E and should be such that only suificient-pressure is developed upon the beans within the feed chute F to pack the string beans sufficiently tight against each other to prevent the existence of undesirable voids between the same.-

' After the string beans have been arranged in the feed chute F in the manner above referred to, the same are fed thereby to the packing mechanism B of the machine, which will now be described.

' Packing and control mechanism previously referred to. Both of these mechanisms are closely associated with each other and their 11 a cooperation is of such inter-dependent nature that a combined description of their construction and ioperation appears to be necessary to clearly bring out the functions of the same.

The housing of the packing mechanism 3, see Figs. 1, 13, 14, 15 and 16, comprises side walls 23! and a rear wall 232, a bottom wall 233, and a plurality of partition walls 234, 235 and 235 interposed between the side walls23! and 232 and extending substantially parallel to the same, dividing the housing 5 into a plurality of compartments. Secured to the side wall 23! of the housing 5 is the gear casing 5, see Figs. 2, 13 and 15, within which the control mechanism 0 previously referred to is arranged. This gear casing 9 consists of two sections, namely, gear casing portion 239 secured to the side wall 23! of the housing 5 by means of stud bolts 24! and the gear casing portion 242 secured to the casing portion 239 by means of cap screws 243. 'f ne partition walls 234, 235, 238, side wall 23!, as well as the gear casing portion 235 are provided with horizontally disposed bearings 245, 241 and 248. Rotatably mounted within the bearings 245 and 241 is a horizontally disposed shaft 25!. Keyed to one end of the shaft 25! is the can turret H previously referred to, while the bean turret G is keyed to shaft 25!, see Fig. 15, intermediate the partition walls 234 and 235. The other end of the shaft 25! extends into the gear casing 5 and keyed to its end h a flange 252 to which a Geneva gear 253 is ad ustably secured by means of cap screws 254 ex nding, through elongated slots 255 of the flange 252, see Fig. 25.

Freely rotatable upon the shaft 25! and interposed between the Geneva gear 253 and the side wall 23! of the housing 5, see Fig. 15, by means of a hub portion 251 is a rotary cam 258, the hub portion 25! of which is in turn rotatably received within the bearing 248 of the gear casing portion 239. Mounted uponthe hub portion 251 of the rotary cam 258 and keyed thereto for rotation therewith is a gear 259 of cup-shaped configuration. The hub portion 25! of the gear 259 is positioned intermediate the bearing 245 and the Geneva gear 253.

The can turret H previously referred to consists of a bodyportion 21! and a circular disc 212 secured to the inner side thereof by means of a plurality of screws 213 the heads of which are countersunk in the disc 212. The body portion 21! as well as the disc 212 is provided with semi-circular can receiving pockets 214 and 215 respectively arranged in alignment with respect to each other. It should be noted, however, that the can receiving pockets 214 of the turret portion 21! are of a size corresponding to the flange diameter of the particular size of sanitary cans for which the machine is designed," while the pockets 215 of the turret portion 212 are of slightly smaller diameter and correspond to the diameter of the body portion of the respective size of sanitary can to be employed in connection with the machine.

The side wall 232, the intermediate wall 234, and the intermediate walls 235 and 235 of the housing 5 of the machine are provided with an upwardly extending portion 211 preferably formed integral therewith (see. Figs. 1. 13, 14 and 17) forming spaced housing portions 215 and 219 joined at their upper ends by a rear wall 28! and top wall 282. Secured to the rear wall 28! and extending transversely of the upper portion of the housing 5 is a bean turret cover 283 of subprovided with spaced reinforcing flanges 254 and 285. see Figs. 1, 13. 14 and 17. The other end of the turret cover 283 and the reinforcing flanges 284 and 285 integral therewith are secured to a supporting bracket 251 by means of cap screws 288, while the lower end of the supporting bracket 281 is attached to a downwardly extending flange 299 of the lower bean turret cover 29! by means of cap screws 292. The lower bean turret cover 29! extends between the intermediate housing walls 234 and 235 of the housing 5 and forms an integral part therewith.

Secured to the reinforcing flange 284 of theturret housing 283 above referred to is a can delivery chute 295 of any conventional structure which is adapted to deliver the sanitary cans to the pockets of the can turret H when the same are in a position as shown at 291 in Fig. 1. b

The bean turret structure G, see Fig. 15, consists vof a centrahbody portion 298 and circular discs 299 and 39! secured to the sides thereof by means of screws 392, the heads of which arecountersunk within the circular plates 299 and 39!. The entire bean turret structure above referred to is positioned intermediate the bearings 245 and 241 of the partition walls 234 and 235 respectively, and is keyed as shown at 393 to the shaft 25! for rotation therewith. The turret portions 298, 299, and 39! are provided with a plurality of bean receiving pockets 394, see Fig. 14. These pockets are of a somewhat elongated configuration consisting of straight side walls 395 and 391 joined by a semi-circular portion 395 of a radius slightly smaller than one-half of the inside diameter of the sanitary cans to be used in connection with the machine of the present- '45 closely spaced thereto in cutting relation therewith. The rear edges 3 of the cutting knives 3!! and 3!2 extend toward the shaft 25! slightly beyond the lowermost edge 3!5 of each bean turret pocket 394, see-Fig. 29. From the above arrangement of the stationary cutting knives 3!! and 3!2 it will therefore be seen that when the pockets 394 of the bean turret structure G are filled with string beans the ends of which .protrude from the sides of the turret structure G,

the same will be cut oil. during rotation of the spectively. The compartment 3!1 extends downwardly and terminates in a discharge chute 3!9 formed by the side wall 232, the partition wall- "hand a rear and a front wall 32! and 322 connecting the same and forming an integral part Q5 therewith, see Fig. 15. In a similar manner the compartment 315 previously referred to extends downwardly within the housing 5 of the machine, terminating in a discharge chute 329 formed by the partition walls 235 and 235 and front and rear walls 323 and 324, respectively. Both of these discharge chutes are open at their lower ends and lead into a discharge belt compartment 328 extending longitudinally of the, housing 5 of the machine and being open at both ends thereof adstantially semi-circular configuration which is jacent the side walls 23! and 232 respectively of ace-nave the housing 5. Secured to both ends of the bottom 233 of the housing which is attached to the base I in any convenient manner, see Fig. 1, are supporting brackets 321 and 323 within which belt pulleys 33l and 332 are rotatably mounted. Trained around the belt pulleys 33! and 332. is an endless conveyor belt 333 made from rubber or any other desirable material, see Figs. 14 and 15. The arrangement being such that the upper run 334 of the endless conveyor belt 333 extends through the conveyor belt compartment 323 and is supported therein within a horizontal chute 336 extending over the entire width of the housing 5. One of the conveyor pulleys 331 and 332 is driven in any convenient manner, either by the source of power of the packing mechanism B or by an individual electric motor, not shown. The direction of travel of the conveyor belt 333 is preferably in the direction as shown by arrow 331 in Fig. so that the ends of the string beans cut oil by the stationary cutting knives 3| l and 3 l 2 and discharged upon the conveyor belt 333 by means of the compartments or chutes 3H and 313 are discharged from the belt 333 at the freeside of the packing machine so that they may be disposed of in any desired manner without interfering with any of the mechanism of the machine.

It should be further noted at this point that the can turret H and bean turret G are provided with the same number of pockets 214 and 33'4 respectively and are keyed to the shaft 25i in such position with respect to each other that adjacent pockets of both turrets are in alignment with each other;

The bean turret cover 283 and the reinforcing flanges 264 and 286 thereof are provided with bracket portions 34l and 342, which are preferably made integral therewith. The bracket 34l extends above the can turret structure H, see Figs. 1, 13 and 15, and is provided with spaced bearings 343 and 344 within which a can shifting and holding arm 346 is pivotally mounted by means of a pivot pin 341. The can shifting arm 346, see Figs. 13 and 15, comprises a downwardly extending portion 348 having a can engaging finger 343 consisting of a straight portion 351 and a curved portion 352 angularly disposed with respect to the same and forming a V-shaped can engaging surface 353 therewith. The can shifting arm 345 comprises further an upwardly extending portion 354 the upper end of which is pivotally secured to a rod 355 by means of a pivot pin 351. The other end of said rod is threadedly secured to a U-shaped bracket 358 while a lock nut 353 'threadedly received upon a threaded portion 353 Secured to the en s of the U-shaped, bracket 358 adjacent the pivot pin 351 thereof are coil springs 368 and 363, the other ends of which are secured to spaced upright portions 311 and 312, respectively of a spring supporting bracket 313 secured to the upperend of the cover 242 of the gear casing 5 by means of cap screws 314.

The rear end of the arm 354 extends over the been turret G and partially over the can turret H, i. e.. the circular plate 212 of the same. and is provided with a bean rounding portion 315 above the bean turret G corresponding to the width of the same.- The lower face' of the bean rounding p rtion 315 of the arm 354 is of semi-circular cross section, as shown at 311 in Fig. 31. The radius of this semi-circular section is slightly less than one-half of the inner can diameter 01' the sanitary can and is adapted to cooperate with each of the pockets of the bean turret G so as to press the string beans within the pockets of the bean turret G into cylindrical packages or a diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the can.

The rear end 318 of the arm 364' above the can turret structure H is provided at its lower side with a semi-circular recess 313, see Fig: 30, of a radius one-half the size of the outside diameter of the can. The portion 318 of the arm 354 is adapted to cooperate with the can turret in such a manner that the recess 313 thereof forms in conjunction withthe pockets 216 of the circular plates 212 a circular can pocket of a size corresponding to the outside diameter of a sanitary can, so that when thearm portion 318 is moved toward the circular plate 212 of the can turret H a can'of proper size resting with its lower body portion within the pocket 215 of the circular plate 212 is engaged by the can'rounding portion 313 of the arm 364 upon downward movement of the rear portion 318 of the same, whereby cans which are not completely round are rounded so that they may receive a cylindrical charge of string beans from the bean turret G.

The operation of the lever arm 354 to efiect its bean and can rounding operation is controlled by the rotary can 258 previously referred to. For this purpose the front end of the arm 354 is provided with a down-wardly extending portion 38l carrying a cam roller 382 adapted to ride along a peripheral cam surface 383 of the cam 258, see Figs. 13 and 17. The coil springs 358 and 363 previously referred to function to hold the roller 5 382 in continuous engagement with the cam surface 383 of the rotary cam 258 and are adapted to retract the rear portion of the arm 334 as well as the can engaging finger 343 to inoperative position.

The configuration of the cam surface 383 of the rotary cam 258 is such that the can and bean rounding arm 354 as well as the can shifting arm 345 are operated in properly timed relation with respect to the can and bean turrets.

The can holding and shifting arm 346- functions to engage the rear'end of the cans, see Fig. 15, and shift the same into such position that the flange at the open end of the can engages the circular plate 283 adjacent the pocket 334 which is at this time in alignment with the can so that the can is tightly held against the bean turret structure G for reception of a charge of beans therefrom. It should further be noted that the can and bean rounding arm is provided with an elongated annular recess 354, see Fig. 15, within which the upper flange portion at the open end of the can is received so that thesame will 

